Boarding Home Resident`s Death Probed

June 21, 1986|By David Uhler, Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a boarding home resident who broke her hip after another resident pushed her during an argument three weeks ago, police said Friday.

Ruth Nord, 67, collapsed Thursday and died of a blood clot while she was being instructed in the use of a walker at the Merrick Retirement Home, police said.

The Broward County Medical Examiner`s Office is calling her death a technical homicide. The examiners said the blood clot resulted from the hip fracture, according to police.

The woman who pushed Nord, Melinda Shawan, 22, ran away shortly after the argument and was still missing Friday, according to Vaudine McBean, owner of the adult congregate living facility.

The home, which is in the 1400 block of Northwest 21st Street, primarily houses mental patients. Nord and Shawan suffered from schizophrenia, although Nord`s case was less severe, McBean said.

``We`re very worried about Melinda,`` McBean said. ``She didn`t mean it at all. She felt terrible and she was very, very sorry.``

Police said Merrick officials described Nord as a kind and pleasant woman, although she was prone to swearing at other residents from time to time.

Nord reportedly was knocked down by Shawan after swearing at her for no apparent reason, police said.

After suffering the hip fracture, Nord underwent surgery at Broward General Medical Center and was released Wednesday, police said.

Nord had been living at the home since July 1983. Shawan has lived at the center twice, the last time since April 26, McBean said.

Besides being upset about Nord and worried about Shawan, McBean expressed concern about the public`s reaction to the apparently accidental death.

``We are trying to cultivate a positive image,`` she said. ``Something like this....I would hate to generate more bad feelings.``

McBean said Merrick officials filed a missing persons report shortly after Shawan disappeared. The missing woman is described as white, about 5 feet 6 and weighing 150 pounds. She has light brown shoulder-length straight hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Shawan is asked to call Fort Lauderdale police at 761-5700.